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The family court doesn’t care about power or who can make the biggest threats and spin the best story. It cares about stability, safety, and what serves a child’s best interests. It cares about evidence, and we have that shit in bucketloads. Daisy’s ex is cuntier than any of us anticipated.

Spencer found all the cracks in his carefully constructed image, and now we just have to trust that the truth will be enough to keep Jonah exactly where he belongs, with his mother.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when Daisy enters the room, smoothing her hands over the new form-fitting navy-blue dress Mum bought her for court today. She referred to it as a power suit when she handed over the bag and insisted she put it on.

The matching short jacket, that stops just above the hourglass curve of her waistline, frames her stripper tits perfectly, and the sky-high heels make her look formidable, even if the nerves in her eyes give her away. “How do I look?” she asks softly.

“Beautiful,” Mum says, running a soothing hand down Jonah’s back.

I just sit here stunned, taking her all in as I try to formulate the right words. A walking fucking wet dream is the first thing that comes to mind, but I’m liable to get a smack in the side of the head from my mother if I voice that out loud.

Daisy and I have grown closer over the past few weeks, and it’s getting harder and harder to keep my hands to myself. Now that her stitches are out, I don’t even have an excuse to touch her.

We both know there’s something between us, even if we keep pretending there isn’t. It’s in the stolen glances, the quiet moments, and the way we both pull back just before we get too close.

Bennett’s organised mediation with Jason and his counsel. He told them his client was seeking a quick outcome and wanted to see if we could resolve things before we go in front of a judge. Family Court matters can drag on for months, sometimes years, especially if one party is being difficult.

The cocky bastard probably thinks he has a hand up, and we’re running scared. He has no idea he’s walking into a trap.

Unbeknownst to him, we hold the cards now, and we’re going to fuck him up the arse with a very large and spiky cactus. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it.

My gaze travels the length of Daisy’s body, and that dress which hugs every delicious curve, right down to those sexy fucking shoes. By the time my eyes meet hers, I find her watching me, waiting for my reaction.

“You look like you’re ready to kick arse, darlin’,” I say, pushing myself to stand and tamping down the low whistle threatening to escape. “That fucker isn’t going to know what hit him.”

I’ll never forget the look on Daisy’s face when Bennett sat her down the other day and told her about all the evidence Spencer Prescott had gathered on that motherfucker. The betrayal radiating off her was palpable, but even as she fought back tears, she held herself together.

That night, when she got out of the shower, I noticed her eyes were red and puffy, and I knew she’d been crying. It was just another blow to a fragile woman’s sense of self that was already hanging by a thread.

It made me want to hunt that fucker down and rip him limb from limb, but his day is coming ... sooner than he thinks. All I can do is hope she gets the justice she deserves and the fresh start she and her son have been fighting for.

I’ve yet to lay eyes on the man whose face I’m desperate to rearrange. We were informed when we arrived that he got here early to meet with his counsel. Since he lives out of state, everything up until now had been handled over the phone and online.

“Who brings both a barrister and a lawyer to mediation?” Poppy asks. The way she rolls her eyes tells me she thinks it’s complete overkill.

“A fucking knob, that’s who,” Bennett replies, confirming my thoughts.

“Is that going to work against us?” Daisy asks, knotting her fingers together in front of her.

“He could have a Supreme Court judge on his side, and it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference. The evidence speaks for itself,” my brother reassures Daisy.

Unbeknownst to Daisy, Bennett had Spencer delve into her past too, just as a precaution. I understand why he did it. He didn’t want anything coming back to bite us on the arse, but as expected, she’s squeaky clean. Guilty of being naive and way too trusting, but that’s about it.

“Everything is going to be okay,” Poppy says, moving in beside Daisy and placing an arm around her shoulder. “Just follow Bennett’s lead, and don’t let that arsehole intimidate you.”

We left Jonah at home with Mum. Although Daisy’s no longer listed as a missing person, her ex has no idea where she’s living. All correspondence has been going through Bennett’s firm, and there was no way we were going to bring the little man with us today.

When one of the court clerks approaches to let us know they’re ready, the four of us walk towards the mediation room as a united front.

I reach for Daisy’s hand and give it a reassuring squeeze as we approach. “We’ve got you, darlin’,” is all I say, because it’s the truth.

Chapter 12

Daisy

I inhale sharply and hold my breath as I follow Bennett and Poppy into the room. Nolan is behind me, and knowing he’s here gives me a sense of security I didn’t realise I needed.

My eyes remain cast down until I take a seat at the table. It’s only then that I gain the courage to look up, and the moment my eyes land on Jason, I find him scowling in my direction.